INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF DRIVER DISTRACTION

The MUARC advanced car driving simulator was used to undertake a study that examined the effects of distraction upon driving performance for drivers in three age groups. There were two in-car distractors: operating the car audio system and conducting a simulated hands-free mobile phone conversation. The study employed a hazard perception task, whereby the effects of distraction were assessed in terms of drivers' reactions to pedestrians and other hazards in the roadway. Older drivers (over 60) drove more slowly when they were distracted by the audio system and in the complex driving environment. Younger people (18-25) maintained a more constant speed compared to middle aged (30-45) and older drivers (over 60). Fatigue caused by loss of sleep the night before the test, or by the driving task itself, did not affect driver performance. The authors concluded that the in-vehicle tasks of interacting with the audio system and conducting a simulated hands-free mobile phone conversation do impair several aspects of driving performance. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E210298.

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